Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies as potential anti-cancer agents.
The EGF receptor is a potential target for antitumor therapy, because it is expressed at high levels on many human tumor cells and appears to be involved in autocrine stimulation of cell growth in a number of experimental studies. Anti-EGF receptor MAbs, which block ligand binding, can prevent the growth in culture of cells that are stimulated by EGF or TGF-alpha. Growth of human tumor xenografts bearing high levels of EGF receptors is also inhibited. A Phase I trial in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung has demonstrated the capacity of a single dose of 120 mg anti-EGF receptor MAb to localize in such tumors and to achieve saturating concentrations in the blood for more than 3 days, without causing toxicity.
Mendelsohn
J
J
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors